Galle Literary Festival returned this year in spectacular fashion, drawing writers, thinkers, and book lovers from around the world to Sri Lanka’s historic coastal city. Over four days, the festival delivered an electrifying mix of thought-provoking discussions, book launches, poetry readings, and panel debates, all set against the stunning backdrop of Galle Fort.

From internationally acclaimed authors to emerging voices in South Asian literature, the festival celebrated the power of storytelling in all its forms. Audiences were treated to insightful conversations on contemporary fiction, history, poetry, and journalism, while workshops and intimate literary lunches and dinners provided opportunities for deeper engagement with renowned speakers. Beyond the written word, the festival also showcased film screenings, comedy shows, art exhibitions, and culinary experiences, cementing its status as a true celebration of culture.

With packed venues, lively debates, and an undeniable buzz in the air, the Galle Literary Festival once again proved why it remains one of the most anticipated literary events in the region.
Here is a roundup of our festival highlights.

The Pepperpot Diaries
A conversation with Andi Oliver the vivacious personality of chef, television broadcaster, judge, host and – most recently – author of the book Pepperpot Diaries, which explores a culmination of diverse cuisines and unique soulful food spanning the Caribbean. The book entails a concoction of over 100 traditional and contemporary recipes, alluding to Caribbean heritage, while also taking  Oliver on an extensive journey of understanding her people and culture.

Pepperpot is the national dish of Antigua. Having been born to Antiguan parents and a father who had bipolar disorder, she describes feeling an ‘emotional fracture’ as a kid; the kitchen was her oasis. She was whipping up intricate recipes and hosting exquisite tea parties at the mere age of 13, and this instigated her fondness for warm, home-cooked meals made purely out of love. Oliver emphasized that she has little respect for “ego food” – any meal that is technically adept and skilful but lacks a singular hint of comfort and authenticity.

Having been both a judge and presenter on the critically acclaimed BBC show: The Great British Menu, she incessantly reiterated the importance of representation, particularly in the British culinary world that is heavily white male-dominated. In addition to her infectious laugh and sharp wit, she is incredibly persevering. Oliver is actively advocating for kids all over the world who have the same background, culture, appearance and passion as her but are either misrepresented or denied equal opportunities. She strives tirelessly to influence them.

When asked about what makes Korean food Caribbean food, Oliver promptly reminded the audience that the Caribbean, like Sri Lanka, has been colonized. Therefore, an echo of the past lies in the local menu that was often tweaked by a broad spectrum of the globe. The session came to a hilarious end when asked about her death row meal, she replied mournfully that it would be shellfish due to an alarming allergy she developed over the last few years.

The Landscape of a Lost Kingdom
Razeen Sally and Sunela Jayewardene conducted an enlightening session on her latest book: The Landscape of a Lost Kingdom, which explores king Ravana’s journey in Sri Lanka, referencing numerous myths and legends.

There is concrete archaeological evidence and meticulous geographical research that proves that Prince Vijaya arrived around 500 BC, prior to this there is the existence of other civilizations in various parts of the world such as the Indus Valley civilization. She astutely observed that, given Sri Lanka’s pivotal geographical location, on routes from Africa to Asia, it was implausible and unrealistic that the island would remain completely alienated from external culture and influence.

Jayewardena delved into advanced technology and expressed astonishment at the feats achieved centuries ago, such as the island’s sophisticated irrigation system and the Yodha Wewa – one of the largest and oldest reservoirs in the country – whose method of water collection and restoration remains an unfathomable mystery even today. Most notably, she highlighted the existence of 4 shrines that intersect precisely on Adams Peak when observed from a satellite, or any other airborne technology – however, no such evidence of technology was present during that period. To my amusement, she directly confronted the audience by stating – “if we cannot resolve these questions, does that not suggest that we were once a far more advanced civilization?”

AI in Writing: Friend, Foe or Tool?
A diverse panel- consisting of researchers Adam Rutherford, Yudhanjaya Wijeratne and Mangala Karunaratne- made some eye-piercing comments regarding Artificial Intelligence.

Adam Rutherford disagreed with the notion that, throughout human civilization, only a few thousand individuals made any dramatic, tangible impact. He argued that humans are first and foremost, voluntary teachers – imparting knowledge to themselves or anyone within their sphere of influence - and secondly- experts in a field of choice after extensive studying; for example, dentists, carpenters, teachers, and a myriad of other professions. In doing so, they offer a variety of services and skills. Artificial Intelligence on the other hand has no purpose to teach, and its sole purpose is to produce answers on demand based on designated keywords, therefore making it monotonous, patently uninspiring and plain boring.

Both Wijeratne and Rutherford agreed that Artificial Intelligence can never possibly relate to the fundamentals of a delicate human experience such as - the death of a loved one, or a hug from a friend - and that triggers a bridge of abrupt disconnect between the viewer and screen.

Yudhanjaya Wijeratne also mentioned crucial disadvantages of Artificial Intelligence such as the fact that it is a convenient replacement for physical labour, it is a violation of intellectual property and stolen ideas.

‘Mansions of the Moon’ by Shyam Selvadurai
Unlike any other telling of the story of the Buddha, a revolutionary who epitomises the teachings on ‘self,’ Shyam Selvadurai’s ‘Mansions of the Moon’ revolves around Yasodhara, a catalyst in Siddhartha’s journey who is often cast aside in historical accounts. Taking a different approach, Shyam’s retelling of Yasodhara’s story sheds light on a society that appears to have been far more liberating in its societal principles.

An integral part of this process was the research Shyam conducted. As he delved into history, it became evident that women during the Buddha’s time were far more liberated, with societal interactions being more fluid and less restricted by rigid social norms. As the session progressed, it felt inevitable that one would become more curious about the society the Buddha came from, rather than focusing solely on his journey to enlightenment, a subject that has been the focal point of countless numbers of literature over the past few centuries.

One interesting point Selvadurai shares with the audience is his writing technique of incorporating an essential feature of his own identity into his characters. For instance, Yasodhara is often seen basking in solitude, appreciating her own private spirit, a reflection of Selvadurai’s own qualities. One could say that even if someone had not read Mansions of the Moon prior to this session, it certainly made a compelling case to purchase a copy. The curiosity sparked by wanting to explore Yasodhara’s journey can only be satisfied by reading the book.

Brotherless Night by V.V Ganeshananthan
 Winning the Women’s Prize for her captivating novel ‘Brotherless Night’, it was an absolute pleasure to gain further insight from V.V. Ganeshananthan on what the book entails for its audience. Considering herself a better fiction writer than a journalist, Ganeshananthan dives into a world of imagination that allows her to tell her story more effectively through the characters of Sashi and her brothers.

Fascinated by her ability to immerse readers in Sashi’s story, the panel reached a hallmark moment when Ganeshananthan addressed the use of “you” in the novel. Sashi’s inner dialogue, alongside her interactions, undergoes a fundamental shift halfway through the book from conforming to existing notions of what the Civil War was to forging her own sense of belonging within it. Similarly, the panel also took a shift with a captivating quote “The novel shifts into a world of women” which feels imperative, as Ganeshananthan’s objective was to highlight a more holistic perspective of the civil war where the divide was not only between races.

Even though the session lasted an hour, it felt much shorter as Ganeshananthan’s passion for a project that took over 10 years to complete shone through. One couldn’t help but engage as a reader, just as immersed in the story as she was.

Fusing Fact with Fiction in the Historical Novel
Starting Day 3 of the Galle Literary Festival on a high note, the conversation between V.V. Ganeshananthan and Aanchal Malhotra was arguably one of the best sessions of the festival. The authors shared a natural conversational chemistry, with their stories flowing seamlessly from one to the other. The session began with a thought-provoking question that set the tone for the discussion “Can we consider historical fiction as part of history, or should we rely solely on archives for historical accounts?”

This question struck a chord, as historical fiction is often interpreted as an extension of history. In response, Malhotra referred to an example from her book, explaining that writing fiction does incorporate real facts, rooted in research she conducted to tell her story. Fiction, she noted, allows imagination to play a role in making the narrative more engaging, a stance shared by Ganeshananthan as well.

Exploring the authors’ professional backgrounds, the conversation felt wholesome and authentic, revealing how much they love their craft. Their expertise shone through their books, allowing readers to feel part of their journeys.

 Not only was this session captivating, but it was also highly educational. The authors delved into the topic of generational change, discussing how it is depicted similarly yet within different contexts, the Sri Lankan Civil War and the Partition period, respectively. Ganeshananthan explores generational change through the lens of education, while Malhotra highlights the stark shift between pre-Partition and post-Partition eras. Despite their differing styles, both authors aimed to explore the same theme in their books.

Lastly, as both authors no longer live in their countries of origin, the panel touched on the emotional complexity of “yearning for home” and the nuanced meaning behind the phrase “coming back,” which proved to be far more complicated than it initially seemed. The authors shared their experiences of reconnecting with their homelands, prompting the audience to reflect on their own lives and what it truly means to “yearn for a home you had to leave.” Overall, this session was nothing short of fantastic.

Behind the Curtain: Writing for Theatre
Michael Attenborough, Jenny Erpenbeck and Greg Mosse
This session was a treat for all theatre lovers, bringing together expertise spanning many decades in one place. Moderated by Tracy Holsinger, the panel jumped right into the topic of writing for theatre. Mosse emphasised, “Despite the challenges of writing, it’s the most congenial, satisfying thing that I’ve done,” while Erpenbeck noted that the use of dialogue in a script creates space for the unsaid, inviting the audience to engage with the story on a deeper level.

The panellists then delved into the collaborative nature of theatre productions and how it differs from writing a novel or story, given the many technical elements involved.

While the session was highly informative highlighting Attenborough’s expertise alongside the brilliant writing of Mosse and Erpenbeck, if there were any constructive feedback to offer, it would be that the session felt a bit staggered. As Holsinger navigated the discussion, the pacing could have been improved, with time better utilised to delve into the authors’ respective projects. This would have provided the audience with a stronger contextual understanding of how their perspectives applied to their work.

Comedy Night with Sashi Perera and Taniya Lewaanduwage
Comedy was redefined on this night. It was two hours of pure, unfiltered laughter, as both comedians revelled in their ability to make the audience burst into fits of giggles, so much so that their stomachs hurt.

Kicking off the night, Taniya’s humour can best be described as “so Sri Lankan.” While this phrase is often interpreted negatively, it certainly wasn’t the case here. Taniya showcased Sri Lankan humour that stood out, serving as a testament to how hilarious Sri Lankans can be, both as individuals and as a culture. Judging by the audience’s roaring laughter, they wholeheartedly agreed.

Seamlessly transitioning, Sashi’s set was nothing short of fantastic. Not only was she naturally hilarious, but her creativity was off the charts. Using an interesting mix of music, dialogue, and even pie charts, her bits landed perfectly, making the hour feel like it lasted far less than sixty minutes. However, for those paying close attention, it was clear that many of her jokes carried a deeper truth, touching on subjects such as identity, sexuality, and the need to challenge cultural norms. This wasn’t just a comedy show, it was an experience that felt worth every penny.

Creative Writing Workshop - Nadeesha Paulis
Headed by Nadeesha Paulis, a novelist and writer for iDiscover Sri Lanka, this workshop was designed for writers of all levels. The attendees came from all walks of life, sharing stories about what they loved about writing and the kind of work they did, creating meaningful connections through their experiences.

Paulis made Galle the central theme of her workshop, encouraging participants to explore their feelings about the city and write any piece inspired by it. Determined to create a safe space, she guided the session with intelligence and intuition, allowing participants to express themselves freely. The results were outstanding as the variety of pieces written by the attendees was truly riveting, showcasing phenomenal talent. If you’re struggling with writer’s block, this session would be the perfect therapy to overcome it.

Tea and Poetry: Tea Stained Lines
Annal Glory, Jeyakantha Janu, Mylvganam Thilakarajah and Pathum Wickramarathne
This session stood out from the rest, simply because of its inclusivity. Featuring panellists who were specialists from tea plantations in the hill country, this hour was dedicated to being an audience, listening to their lives through the poetry they had written in three languages: English, Sinhala, and Tamil. Witnessing their passion for writing and the expression of their thoughts was truly life-changing. It was moving to hear how their daily lives were translated into beautiful poetry that also reflected their identities.

Following their readings, the audience had the opportunity to ask questions. However, instead of focusing on the panellists’ passion for writing and who they were as individuals, the discussion slightly shifted toward inquiries about their struggles. While this wasn’t inherently negative, it did feel as though it overshadowed their talents as writers, reducing their identities to their origins and current hardships.

A more holistic discussion would have elevated the session, offering a fuller picture of their experiences beyond their struggles. Nevertheless, it was a powerful reflection of the Festival’s commitment to diversity, providing these panellists with a platform to express themselves and share their voices.